Trucking Safety Tech: When Companies Choose Profits Over Safety
Did a semi-truck rear-end your vehicle? It likely lacked the $44 safety system that could have prevented the crash.
Every year, thousands of families are devastated by rear-end truck collisions. The trucking industry often calls these “accidents.” But at NGRV, we know the truth: many of these crashes are entirely preventable.
The technology to stop a semi-truck from rear-ending a car has existed for years. It is effective, affordable, and widely available. Yet, trucking companies and manufacturers routinely choose to delete these standard safety features to save money. If you were injured in a collision with a commercial truck, the missing technology on that rig may be the key to your case.
The Missing Technology: Collision Mitigation Systems (CMS)
Modern semi-trucks can be equipped with advanced Collision Mitigation Systems (CMS). These systems use radar and cameras to “see” the road ahead.
If traffic slows down or stops, the system warns the driver. If the driver doesn’t react fast enough, Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) takes over and applies the brakes automatically to prevent a crash.
The Statistics Don’t Lie
- Highly Effective: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has found that these systems are “highly effective” in avoiding crashes.
- Proven Results: In a field study of heavy vehicles equipped with this tech, covering over 3 million miles, there were zero rear-end crashes.
- Government Findings: NHTSA estimates that once fully implemented, these systems will prevent over 19,000 crashes and save 155 lives annually.
The Delete Option: How They Cut Corners
Here is the shocking reality: Most major truck manufacturers (like Freightliner, Peterbilt, and Kenworth) often include these safety systems as “standard equipment”.
However, when a trucking company orders a new fleet, they are frequently given a choice. They can check a box on the build sheet—a “Delete Option”—to have the safety system removed.
Why Would They Remove Safety Features?
To save a few dollars.
- Manufacturer Cost: The cost to the manufacturer to install these systems is estimated between $44 and $197 per truck.
- Retail Markups: Manufacturers often mark up the price to the end-user by over 600%, pushing the price higher to discourage purchase or increase profit margins.
- The Result: Trucking companies choose to save money on the upfront cost of the truck, gambling with the lives of the families they share the road with.
Europe vs. The US: A Dangerous Lag
European regulations are far ahead of the United States. In Europe, Automatic Emergency Braking has been mandatory on all new heavy trucks since 2015.
In the US, however, mandates are lagging, with full requirements not expected until 2028 or later. This regulatory gap allows US trucking companies to legally operate dangerous vehicles that would be illegal in Europe.
We Investigate What Was Missing
If you are hit by a truck, we don’t just look at the driver’s logbook. We look at the truck’s build sheet.
We investigate:
- Did the truck have a Collision Mitigation System?
- Did the trucking company choose the “Delete Option” to remove it?
- Was the system disabled or broken at the time of the crash?
If a trucking company consciously decided to remove a $45 safety part that would have prevented your accident, they put profits over your safety. That is negligence.
Get a Free Case Review
If you or a loved one were injured in a collision with a semi-truck, tractor-trailer, or commercial vehicle, contact NGRV immediately. We have the resources to investigate the truck’s manufacturing history and hold the company accountable.
